Lincoln, Balboa set sights on section title
It’s a forever lesson, phrase and cliche that coaches use: “Next man up.”
But in the case of Ricky Underwood, Lincoln’s do-everything, game-breaking running back and strong safety, coach Phil Ferrigno was tempted to say “next men up,” as in multiple players.
The speedy and physical 5foot-11, 180-pound senior broke his collarbone in the first half of the team’s season-opening game against Jefferson-Daly City — he already had 12 carries for 99 yards and three touchdowns — when Ferrigno had to replace the one player on the team who frankly appeared irreplaceable.
Enter Jamelle Newman, hands on hip, cape whisking behind his less-than-imposing frame.
“He’s 5-foot-5, 145-150 pounds soaking wet,” Ferrigno said. “But he’s strong as an ox. Quick. A natural football player.”
Newman largely saved the day for the Mustangs (8-3), who won the Academic Athletic Association regular-season crown and a first-round playoff game to advance to Thursday’s 98th Turkey Day Game, which also acts as the San Francisco Section title game.
Newman has rushed for 941 yards (6.6 per carry) and 13 touchdowns, has 36 tackles and a pick-six as a cornerback and has returned 20 kicks and punts — including one for a touchdown.
“Jamelle stepped right in and we barely missed a beat,” Ferrigno said. “He’s got a complete game. He’s everywhere. He’s fast and quick. He can tackle. He’s definitely been our MVP.”
Lincoln faces familiar nemesis Balboa (6-5), which last season won its first section crown since 1984 with a 21-0 victory over the Mustangs. This is the third consecutive season the teams have met for the title after Lincoln won 10-0 in 2019 (there was no game in 2020 because of the pandemic). The Mustangs also eliminated Balboa in 2018 with a 7-0 semifinal playoff win.
Lincoln won state titles in 2018 and 2019, and Balboa claimed a 7-A state crown last season. Games are typically tough, gritty and won in the trenches, though Balboa coach Fred Velasquez said he recognizes that big-play prowess also often decides games with Lincoln.
Now that Underwood is back — he had 109 rushing yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns in Lincoln’s 27-6 first-round playoff win against Lowell last week — Balboa has an even bigger challenge than Oct. 1 when the host Mustangs won 21-7 in the regular-season matchup.
The Buccaneers did a good job containing Newman (23 carries, 79 yards, one touchdown) in that game.
“Now they have two home run hitters instead of one,” Velasquez said. “We’ll have to stop their run and play-action game. Then we’ll be in the fight.”
Ferrigno anticipates a physical one. If Balboa can avoid the turnover bug, as it did last week in a 17-14 semifinal win at Washington, Lincoln will be faced with its biggest challenge since a three-game nonleague losing streak. The Mustangs have won six straight since then.
“Fred does a great job and I expect (Balboa) is going to play great,” Ferrigno said. “I hope we do, too, and can put on a great show for the city.”
Said Velasquez, whose inexperienced team was beset by injuries most of the year: “We got here. It took a lot of hard work and dedication from the coaching staff and players. It’s been a blessing the last year to get pats on the back wherever you go. (Thursday) is going to be special.”